Foreign media said that Japan’s de facto agency in Taiwan announced a new name on January 3 and held an unveiling ceremony, hoping to push bilateral relations to a higher level.
The "Japan Exchange Association" in Taiwan was renamed "Japan Taiwan Exchange Association". (BBC)
Kyodo News January 3
Mikio Numata, the de facto Japanese "ambassador" to Taiwan, said at the unveiling ceremony of the "Japan Taiwan Exchange Association": "We hope to continue the relationship between Japan and Taiwan with the new name Play a bridging role." Before the name change, the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association was only known as the "Exchange Association."
In addition to adding the words "Japan" and "Taiwan" in front of the old name, the new logo of the association also decorates the words "Japan" and "Taiwan" with Taiwan plum blossoms and Japan's national flower cherry blossoms respectively. The logo from the
"Communication Association" era will continue to be used. The logo is very similar to the Japanese flag, with the red dot in the middle symbolizing the sun and the four surrounding rays symbolizing Taiwan's unique connection with Japan.
Numata Mikio believes that the name change is necessary because the association's survey early last year found that only 14% of the Taiwanese people surveyed said they were aware of the association's existence. He said that starting from January 1, this unofficial organization will be shown under the new name of "Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association", marking a new beginning for bilateral relations.
Mikio Numata, the Japanese representative in Taiwan (Taiwan's "Central News Agency")
Taiwan and Japan severed "diplomatic" relations in 1972. In order to maintain informal relations with Taiwan, the Japanese government established the "Exchange Association" as a "diplomatic agency" in Taiwan.
In the absence of "diplomatic" relations, the "Asia-East Relations Association", a semi-official organization affiliated with Taiwan's foreign affairs department, is responsible for handling relations between Taipei and Tokyo. Some people have urged Taiwan's foreign affairs department to follow the name-changing model of the "Exchange Association" and consider changing the name of the Association for Asia-East Relations.
Reuters January 3
When the Japanese representative in Taiwan announced the new name of the agency in Taiwan on the 3rd, he said that relations between Japan and Taiwan are at their best, and the announcement of the new name annoyed China.
Mikio Numata, Japan's representative in Taiwan, said at a ceremony attended by Li Chengran, Deputy Minister of Taiwan's Foreign Affairs Department: "Currently, the relationship between Japan and Taiwan is at its best, but we should take further measures to develop good relations."
China Mainland China criticized the name change because it contained the word "Taiwan". Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang reiterated his objections on the 3rd, saying that China had lodged representations with Japan. Geng Shuang said that the Japanese side "should not send wrong signals to the Taiwan authorities and the international community, nor create new interference in Sino-Japanese relations."
Business relations between China and Taiwan have greatly strengthened over the past decade, but cross-strait tensions have intensified since leaders from pro-"Taiwan independence" parties came to power last year.
Mainland China distrusts Tsai Ing-wen and increased pressure on her after she broke away from convention by having a phone call with US President-elect Trump.
Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen
BBC website January 4th
The Japan "Exchange Association" in Taipei has officially changed its name to the "Japan Taiwan Exchange Association" from 2017. At the unveiling ceremony on the afternoon of the 3rd, Japanese representative in Taiwan Mikio Numata said that the Exchange Association has served as a bridge between Japan and Taiwan in the past 45 years and will continue to promote Taiwan-Japan relations to a higher level in the future.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang reiterated at a regular press conference on the afternoon of the 3rd, "We firmly oppose any attempt to create 'two Chinas' and 'one China, one Taiwan'" and criticized Japan's actions on the Taiwan issue. expressed strong dissatisfaction with the "negative measures" taken.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang
Since Japan and Taiwan severed diplomatic relations 45 years ago, the Exchange Association has become the only channel for Taiwanese to go to Japan. It handles many visa applications and cultural and economic exchange matters, which is equivalent to the work of an embassy. The Taiwan authorities welcomed the addition of "Japan and Taiwan" this time, but it also caused dissatisfaction in mainland China, and the political atmosphere among the three parties remained tense.
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